Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-09-29
A FLIGHT.

IL was mt Constantinople. We found our
Selves in n fleet of sixty vessels, of all ma
tions. Ours was the only vessel dying the
American flag,
The time hangs heavily when ships are
waiting for froights or winds 10 start them
into active service. Pera had become
dreadfully dull to Ms, and we had done up
Constantinople and,the surrounding country
10 our hearts content With the exception
of IN occasional dinner at the consulate,
there was no recreation 10 be had-no thea
tres or operas. A dozen of us tried Ia swim
the Bosphorus from the point from which
Byron was said 10 have started. He must
have accomplished his feat in the summer,
for we signally failed in the attempt, owing
10 the temperature of the water, and were
glad enough TO be taken on board our boats
before we got half way.
Our only resort was a hotel which was
kept by the wife of the captain of the port,
who was in exile for murder. She Was true
type of Grecian beauty, n native of Athens,
Just such Il person rs the bard who swan SO
we'll would immortalize in verse. Be
tween the hotel and the landing where we
took our boats for the ship was n distance
Of about three-qnarters of mile. Most of
the streets We're guarded by gates, which
were closed at night, when no one was al
lowed TO pass-unless sailors, who with
few piasters, could bribe the guard to open
for them at any time. We never ventured
10 be out late unless we We're dozen or so
strong then we would sally forth, lantern
in one hand and pistol III the other, ready
TO defend ourselves against robbers, who
did not hesitate to take life. The Turkish
authorities took no notice of troubles aris-
ing among foreigners. The consuls were
supposed 10 care for the interests Of their
own people. saw Greek stab and rob
an Austrian captain within twenty feet OF "A
Turkish guard, who did not interfere, and
who showed less interest than he would
have shown at n fight between two packs of
dogs.
The street which was our regular route 10
the ship had n gate and guard house nj
either end. Blank walls about twenty feet
high extended some 800 feet along both
sides of the street. Behind these walls
were the palaces of two Of the grand pashas.
We could only see the windows of the up
per stories ; the magnificence within was
left 10 our imagination. AS we were walk
ing past one afternoon one of the windows
was suddenly thrown open, and there ap-
peared at il the most beautiful woman /
had ever SEEN We were fairly electrified
by her beauty. She had defied well
known edict in showing us her face, as we
knew. Instantly as she appeared we saw
her throw something over the wall, and
then she closed the window. IL was a note
which she had thrown. We all rushed TO
pick it up. The prize was won by Swe-
dish captain, who Immediately pocketed it.
When wa arrived at the landing the Swe-
dish captain invited me on board his ship.
We had been so intimate during our stay
that the rest OF cur party oullil G.ol LllAe Of
fense at this preference but how anxious
they Were 10 know the contents of that
note insisted that no gentleman could
ask, nor would any divulge its contents,
which justly belonged TO its captor. Once
on board, the note was opened, when an ag-
itation sized the captain which made him
appear TO me like lunatic
Captain" he said, handing me the note,
"you are married, and circumstances have
proved how much you love your wife. 1
am unmarried, and have fallen desperately
in love. Help me by your advice. What
shall do? My ship is ready TO sail, and
the wind is fair. do not own the vessel or
cargo and therefore have no right to detain
her. Read, and tell me what TO do
As my own marriage had been very ro-
mantle this affair was doubly exciting to
me- The note was written in n good En-
glish hand, MS follows;
'G know you are Christians, and will
save me from this life of degradation. En-
tombed in this harem, from which there is
no other way of escape, appeal 10 you in
mercy to save me. God, know, will open
your hearts, give wisdom, and guide you
tomorrow night to n slken thread thrown
from this window, near where you found
nv note. To the thread attach your ans
swer. Death awaits discovery.
The night was spent in devising means of
rescue. The captain swore upon the Bible
that he would marry her if rescued, and if
she would consent. Jewels are most priced
when most difficult to obtain. l was in
full sympathy with his feelings, and when
the day broke our plan Of action had been
determined. saw that he was untitled to
go to sea, his head being entirely turned,
and to ease his conscience upon the point of
his duty pointed out that the interest of
al parties would he served best if he should
defer his departure until the dark moon,
when the plan devised could be put into
operalion. This would necessitate delay
of FIVE days.
Among our friends we were to pretend
that no importance attached to the missiye
which the lady had thrown out. As rea-
son for his delay in not sailing the Swedish
captain was to say that he had discovered
leak in the ships top side after he had load
ed her, which made it necessary to carecn
her for repairs. 1T required much tact to
avoid the captains with whom he had been
| in daily company and to make excuses 10
| stay ashore late every night. We stayed
| ashore 20 become well acquainted with the
guards, whom we thought we could induce,
| by appearing to be half drunk and by lib
! eral use of money, to open the gates for us
\ at any time. The first night we half stag
gered up to the gate, handed the guards 100
piasters and then showed them our empty
! pockets, whcreupon they allowed us to pass
through the gate, pointing to their hearts to
assure us that no one should pass that way
| to mclest us. Each of us carried the usual
paper lantern to illuminate the way, and
we were well armed with pistols and cut
4 lasses During the day we had paced the
distance from the gate to the spot where we
might expect TO find the thread, and we
4 ~, ,1No,. g